Contractor reviews city’s heating needs
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — It’s been a busy couple of weeks for Presque Isle City Council, with workshops on a number of topics, approval of several permits and more.
Councilors met Jan. 27 to review Honeywell’s proposal to convert a number of city buildings from oil to other heating sources. Kevin Massey, an account executive with Honeywell, and Dan Paradis, field supervisor for the company, worked with city officials to evaluate buildings, with Massey speaking during the workshop on the findings.
Massey noted seven buildings were included in the survey, among them the airport terminal, fire and rescue building at the airport, the Forum, City Hall, the library, public works and the public safety building.
“We brought in experienced Honeywell technicians, looked at boiler conditions, the age and piping design,” said Massey.
Massey indicated the cost and scope of upgrades varied from building to building, since some structures had older heating systems compared to others. Some locations could support a changeover to dual fuel burners, while “the airport, fire and rescue, and Forum are past the life cycle or would not accept a dual burner system.”
Where upgrades are possible, Massey said cost savings could run about $100,000 annually. Dual systems could burn both propane and fuel oil.
City Manager Jim Bennett said he and other city officials have looked at the heating system — valued around $25,000 — at the indoor pool and determined it could be removed and used at another facility, resulting in an additional savings over buying a new system.
At the Feb. 3 meeting, councilors voted to appoint Councilors Pete Hallowell and Mike Chasse to be on the subcommittee to evaluate building energy issues.
In other business during the Feb. 3 meeting, councilors:
• Approved a special permits for music, dancing and entertainment for: Pie Nana, Inc., d/b/a Irish Setter Pub, 710 Main St.; Presque Isle Elks Lodge 1954, 508 Main St.; and ARAMARK Educational Service, LLC, 181 Main St.;
• Approved malt, spirituous and vinous liquor licenses for: Pie Nana, Inc., d/b/a Irish Setter Pub, 710 Main St.; and ARAMARK Educational Service, LLC, 181 Main St.;
• Approved consent agenda items 14-31, 14-32 and 14-33;
• Discussed what could be done to address limiting engine braking on trucks coming into town on South Main Street. Bennett said there was probably limited ability to enforce restrictions on “jake braking” and that asking for “voluntary compliance” would be the best option. Councilor Craig Green said signage could be erected to ask motorists to be considerate, such as “Welcome to downtown, please be cognizant of our children,” as a way to “change the culture.” Bennett agreed signage was a good method to consider;
• Voted against spending $144,000 at this time toward an Academy Street paving project, choosing instead to pursue other funding options before spending city money;
• Approved the design/build contract for any revision with CES—Sargent, a joint venture, for the construction of the Phase 1 landfill closure, subject to DEP approval;
• Authorize the city manager’s contract extension, as amended. Council Chair Emily Smith explained the manager has a three-year contract and every year Council has to authorize the third year of the contract. Councilor Dick Engels pointed out that the contract (for $96,900, plus benefits) does not call for any raises or continued benefits beyond this year;
• Authorized the deputy city manager’s contract (for $65,000, plus benefits), following the same basic agreement as the city manager’s;
• Agreed to invite the volunteers who serve on the city’s boards and committees to the annual appreciation banquet;
• Discussed holding a meeting with members of the Planning Board to discuss what kinds of transportation improvements officials would like to have in the city. Bennett said he’d work with Emily Smith and the Planning Board to come up with something to discuss sometime in April;
• Appointed Councilors Craig Green and Bruce Sargent to negotiate with Crown Ambulance; and
• Authorized the following departmental over-expenditures for 2013: Airport Fund, $140,449; Facilities, $16,935; Police, $1,435; Public Works, $9,049; Resources, $2,499; Employee Benefits, $23,286; Unclassified, $13,982; and Information Technology, $5,440. Finance Director Pat Webb said “all things considered, we did very good last year … Instead of being really in the hole, we ended about $20,000 off.” Webb said the biggest hit, at the Northern Maine Regional Airport, was largely due to having to write off receivables from Colgan, the city’s former air carrier.
Council’s next regular monthly meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 3, at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome and encouraged to participate.
For more information, call 760-2720 or visit www.cityofpresqueislemaine.com.
